TROUT STREAM INSECTS 117 



other, and will not turn and run down with the 

 current unless roughly and carelessly handled. 

 Nurse the fish along, exerting a constant but 

 not too heavy strain, so that he will continue to 

 fight upstream against the current, thus tiring 

 more quickly; in other words, u play it safe." 

 If by any chance the fish gets below you, " takes 

 the bit in his teeth " and runs with the current, 

 go with him. Wade if you can, but if this is 

 impossible get out of the stream as quickly as 

 you can and follow down along the bank. As 

 soon as possible get the fish upstream from you 

 again. 



Never try to net a fish which is downstream 

 from you; get below him and let the current 

 float him over the net not away from it. 



With regard to tackle handling while play- 

 ing a trout, I might abbreviate here from an 

 article which I contributed to The Outing 

 Magazine for July, 1911, as further experience 

 has served only to strengthen my belief in the 

 methods set forth therein. That skilled tackle 

 handling, after the rise, is at a premium in 

 trout fly-fishing is due not only to the delicacy 

 of the tackle ordinarily employed, particularly 

 the very small hooks and often fragile leaders, 

 but to the distinctly game qualities of the brook 

 trout itself and the usually difficult angling con- 



